Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 50

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 50   I’ll cure it

“Glast, are you sure about this?”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. I found a good place recently, so I’m moving there.”

“I see, now that you mention it, you did say something like that… That was quick.”

“If you don’t act right away when you decide, you’ll fall behind in everything. …I was planning to use this place as a warehouse for a while, so feel free to do whatever you want.”

We were at Glast’s shop.

The shop that my sister and I used to visit.

The unique scent of the forge and charcoal from the distant smithy tickled our noses.

He must have been working yesterday as well.

The familiar smell teased my nostrils, and I felt a slight sense of nostalgia.

My physical senses were dulled.

All that remained was my feelings for my sister.

The day had passed, and we decided to stay in Istria for a while.

However, it was only my mother and me.

My father couldn’t stay away for long because of village matters.

So, today, we were planning to return to the village at least once.

I was undecided about whether to return home, but considering the precautions against Laziness Syndrome and the convenience of having a doctor nearby in case of emergency, we ultimately chose to stay in Istria.

During that time, Glast suggested, “You can come to my shop,” and graciously offered his place.

Guided by Glast, we went upstairs.

The first floor served as the shop space, with a small living room and kitchen in the back, and further back was the smithy.

There was a warehouse in the backyard and at the end of the corridor.

Climbing the stairs, we reached the second floor, where there were three rooms. One was Glast’s, but it seemed to be vacant now. The other two seemed to be guest rooms.

It was cleaner than I had expected.

It was my first time going upstairs, and I felt the fresh air.

“I clean up around here. You’re welcome to use it for as long as you want.”

“Glast, I’m sorry.”

“Thanks, Glast-san.”

My dad, mom, and I all bowed our heads. In response, Glast hurriedly shook his head.

“Hey, cut it out. I owe you guys a lot. This is nothing. It’s for the sake of my important friend and their family. I’ll do anything I can… anything.”

After glancing at my sister, Glast tightly pressed his lips together.

“There’s no one as good as her… and yet. Why…”

Why.

Why.

Why Marie?

I kept thinking the same things over and over.

Even if I think about it, it doesn’t make any sense.

It was just a coincidence.

We were unlucky.

It was just the way things turned out.

People unrelated to us would easily say such things.

But accepting it with such ease was impossible.

My important person was subjected to such a misfortune, and can one easily accept that it’s inevitable fate?

Faced with this unfairness, I feel anger, lament, and pain.

I’ve come to know that pain.

I can’t escape from this weapon of reality that pierces my heart.

We can do nothing but lower our gaze in silence.

“Sorry. Even though you guys are going through something much harder…”

“No…”

Dad tried to deny it, but it seemed like he couldn’t. I saw a side of my dad that I had never seen before. It was evident that he was blaming himself, and his face was so tensed up that it looked painfully strained. Mom was scrunching up her face, on the verge of tears, and her usual soft expression had disappeared. As for me, I didn’t even know how I felt.

“Anyway, use this place however you want. I’ve got some moving to do, so I’ll be back around noon.”

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“Save your apologies for later.”

“Sorry… thank you.”

“Sure thing.”

With a forced smile, Glast left the room. Dad remained silent, gently laying my sister on the bed, and mom started putting the contents of the bag she brought into the closet. Later, villagers helped carry our belongings. Mom had brought Marie’s and our things when she moved to Istria, anticipating that this might happen. She had prepared a week’s worth of clothes and daily necessities for us. While everyone else efficiently moved around, I stood there dumbfounded. It’s amazing. Everyone else has already accepted reality, knowing what needs to be done. Meanwhile, my feet were glued to the ground. Feeling like I had been left behind, I became a mere spectator.

“Shion…”

Before I knew it, Rose was standing beside me. Ah, I remembered feeling happy seeing her face again after such a long time. Back then, my sister was still lively. She was energetic. I didn’t have the strength to put my feelings into words, so I absentmindedly gazed at my sister.

When morning came, my sister faintly opened her eyes. I hoped for some kind of response or reaction, but there was none. Even now, she just barely opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling without speaking or moving.

Rose seemed like she wanted to say something to me. However, it seemed like the words couldn’t come out. I understood her emotions. That she tried to comfort me, that the words didn’t come to her, and that she closed up. I couldn’t respond to that kindness. I didn’t have that luxury. Unconsciously, I had moved my steps. Before I knew it, I was sitting next to my sister and gently holding her hand. Just trying to warm up that cold hand a bit. That was all I could think about.

○●○

――How much time had passed?

A few days. Probably about that much time had elapsed.

Every day was spent with my sister. I slept in the same room as her, taking care of her as soon as I woke up. When Dad was around, he took care of her, and when Mom was there, it was mainly her responsibility, but I, with my child’s body, did what I could. No, I didn’t do much else. I abandoned everything I had been doing—magic training, helping around the house, everything— and simply continued to take care of Marie.

It hadn’t been a week yet. Days continued without a sense of time, with dulled senses and a lack of reality. Dad and Mom were worried about me.

“Take a break. Go outside for a change of scenery. How about returning to the village? Aren’t you going to practice magic?” Even when those words were thrown at me, all I could do was shake my head. I continued to stay by my sister’s side.

“Shion.”

I heard a voice. My sense of time and place had become dull. I looked to the side, and Dad was standing in front of the door. No one else was around. Oh, that’s right; Mom went downstairs. I glanced at Dad and quickly returned my gaze to my sister.

“Yes…?”

“There’s someone I want you to meet. I’m going to see them now, so get ready.”

“Someone you want me to meet? A doctor? Someone who can cure my sister?”

“…No.”

“Then I won’t go. I want to be with my sister.”

Other things didn’t matter. If they couldn’t cure my sister, nothing else had value. I stared at my sister’s face, unable to shake the feeling that I was looking at an inanimate doll-like visage. Still, all I could do was hold her hand and gaze at her face.

“Do you remember encountering an invisible creature four days ago?”

“Four days ago? Oh, right. It’s been four days already.”

“…On that night, there were numerous cases of attacks by an invisible entity. Many people died, in Istria and even in the royal capital, Sanostria. I suspect it was the work of the creature we encountered.”

Even without my reaction, Dad continued speaking.

“In the last three days, there haven’t been any similar reports, but it’s uncertain whether the same won’t happen again. At that time, we managed to repel that creature. In other words, we… no, Shion, you have a means to counter that creature.”

“What’s the point of all this?”

“Listen. If we leave that creature alone, there will be more victims. Currently, you’re the only one with effective magic against it. Swords were ineffective, but your magic…”

Dad’s weapon didn’t work against the Wraith. In other words, physical attacks were useless against it. Magic was the only effective means, and I was the only one who could use magic. Maybe I was the only one who could defeat that creature. But… what did that mean?

“I’ll be by my sister’s side. I’ll always be here. I won’t leave my sister alone.”

Because I’ve lived like that all this time. I can’t imagine days without my sister in my second life. If my sister were gone, my life would lose its color. My days were essential with her, and she was a presence that was taken for granted. Without her, there was no meaning.

“Are you saying it wouldn’t matter if anyone else died?”

Dad’s voice began to carry emotions. Anger, perhaps. I couldn’t grasp the nuances of emotions in my current state. Dad stood beside me. His usual dignity was absent, replaced by a sense of urgency.

“It might be something only you can do. If you cooperate, Shion, we might reduce the casualties.”

“It doesn’t concern me.”

“Even if night creatures attack the town, our village, killing the residents, you still think it doesn’t concern you?”

“I don’t need to help! I don’t need to do anything! It doesn’t concern me! Why do I have to do something like that? I just want to be by my sister’s side! Isn’t Dad worried about my sister?”

“I’m definitely worried!!!”

Dad’s voice was urgent. I had never seen him so emotionally charged. I inadvertently looked at Dad’s face. It was terribly sad and frustrating. Such a face.

“I’m definitely worried! She’s my daughter. My precious, beloved daughter. If I could take her place, I’d do it…! I want to be by her side, take care of her, and do anything, even throw everything away, just to help her…! If sacrificing myself to demons could save my family, I would willingly sell my soul. …But reality doesn’t even give us that choice. So, we can only do what we can with what we’re allowed. We have to fight desperately within the limits given to us. If you cooperate, you might be able to save many people. You might be the only one who can do it.”

Dad grabbed my shoulders, forcing our faces to meet. In his desperate expression, I was left speechless. His eyes reflected complex emotions, with the most prominent being internal conflict. Dad’s trembling hand on my shoulder revealed vulnerability. The father who was usually a strong and reliable figure now appeared weak and fragile.

“Please… Shion… help us.”

In my mind, scenes from the past surfaced – moments spent with my sister, a particular day’s memories.

“Hey, Shion.”

“What is it, sis?”

“Shion, you’ve been getting better at using magic, right? What if you could use even more types of magic?”

“Well… I guess I’d want to become even better at it.”

“Okay, but what if you became even, even better? Would it be enough to just keep getting better?”

“…That’s…”

“This thunderstone, Shion, it couldn’t turn it into Tekurai without you, right? And without magic, we would have been killed by goblins. Magic saved us. I think it’s something only you could do. It’s fine if you use it the way you want. But I thought, what if you discovered an even greater power in magic and used it for something else? Just a thought.”

“Something else…?”

“For example, you know, helping people? …What’s with that look? You don’t have to laugh.”

“Sorry, sorry. Yeah, you’re right. There could be that kind of use, too. Even now, in a way, you’re helping people.”

“Yes. Magic is very useful but also very dangerous. I think we should consider how to use it. But because of that, I believe it can also be used to help others.”

“You sound just like Dad.”

“Hehe, maybe I do. It’s natural for you to do as you like. But as your family, it seems a bit wasteful, you know?”

“Maybe it’s not a good idea to spread it too much?”

“Right. It’s very delicate. As Dad mentioned, special powers can have both positive and negative impacts on those around us. It’s not an easy decision, but I still hope there’s something we can do.”

Smiling both sadly and happily, my sister continued, “And there’s something only you can do, Shion. I believe you can save many people when the time comes. So, I hope you’ll help when that time comes.”

“――Sis.”

Unexpected words slipped from my mouth.

Dad reflexively raised his head.

I gazed at my sister’s face and continued to speak.

“Sis was talking about using magic to help people.”

“…I see.”

“Yeah. Sis always thought about others, not herself. Without complaining, she considered me, took action, and made efforts. Because she was that kind of person, the words ‘helping people’ probably came to her mind first.”

“That might be true… Marie is a kind girl.”

“Yeah, I think so too. If it were sis, she would probably say something like this in times like this: ‘Shion! Why are you making such a gloomy face? Since Shion is the only one who can help someone, pull yourself together!’ And then she would probably drag me along forcibly.”

“And she’d take Shion away, holding his hand.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s right. That’s how she is. My sister.”

I gently stroked my sister’s face.

Right now, she said nothing.

But surely, if she saw me now, she would scold me.

Because that’s the kind of person she is.

My heart, which had been empty until now, calmed down just a little.

Why is that?

The lethargy disappeared, and a bit of vitality began to emerge.

“If there’s anything I can do, I’ll help, Dad.”

“…Is that so? Thank you, Shion.”

Dad, relieved, then frowned.

“Sorry. I think I understand your feelings, but…”

“It’s okay. Dad waited for me to sort out my feelings.”

Three days.

It’s a short period, but considering the situation, we should come up with a plan immediately. The number of days given, not knowing when the Wraith will appear, is more than enough.

I hadn’t heard any specific details yet, so I didn’t fully grasp the current situation.

I tried to stand up.

I gazed at my sister’s face.

And…

Our eyes met for a brief moment.

I rubbed my eyes and stared again.

But my sister’s gaze remained fixed on the ceiling.

“What’s wrong, Shion?”

“N-nothing, it’s nothing.”

As I was about to say ‘nothing’, I noticed the discomfort.

Huh?

That’s strange.

My calm head alerted me to something abnormal.

And though I didn’t understand the significance, there was undoubtedly a change.

Why didn’t I notice this earlier?

An impulse to slap my previous self overwhelmed me.

Certainly, it was a significant discomfort.

That was it.

“…No magic power?”

“What’s wrong, Shion?”

Unable to dispel the successive question marks floating in my mind, I spoke.

“Sis doesn’t have magic power. It used to faintly glow, but now it’s completely gone.”

“Could it be because she’s asleep?”

“Even when she’s sleeping, magic power is emitted. I’ve been with her all the time, so I know. At any time, her magic power had a presence.”

“Did it disappear over the past few days?”

“No, probably four days ago. When I think back, it seems her magic power was gone from that day.”

In hindsight, I seemed to have lost my ability to think clearly due to the continuous events.

Now that I’ve regained composure, I could recall memories. No doubt, four days ago, on the day of the storm when the Laziness syndrome occurred, her magic power became invisible.

“So, does that mean it’s related to the Laziness syndrome?”

“I don’t know. It might be, or it might not be. Perhaps that red light curtain or ghost-like creatures… the wraith is involved.”

“Or maybe everything—”

“It could be related.”

My eyes met with Dad.

We couldn’t understand each other’s thoughts. I, myself, hadn’t grasped my own thoughts.

However, a small doubt created a big ripple.

All just a coincidence?

But the timing was too much of a coincidence.

And certainly, my sister’s magic power has become invisible.

What does that mean?

I still don’t know, and maybe it’s unrelated.

But that question lingered like a lump in my heart.

Disturbed and lacking composure, I felt my perspective had expanded a bit.

At that moment, the door creaked open.

It seemed Mom had finished her chores and returned.

“Mom, please take care of my sister!”

“Huh? O-Okay, I understand.”

“Dad! We’re heading outside!”

“W-Wait, Shion!”

Together with Dad, I rushed out of the store.

While running, I looked around.

Checked the magic power of people here and there.

Young and old, men and women.

I observed everyone indiscriminately.

“Indeed, just as I thought.”

With confidence, I headed to Dr Alfonse’s clinic.

Passing through the entrance, I looked around.

“What business do you have today? Oh! Wait a minute!”

Shaking off the nurse, I went further inside.

It seemed there was a shortage of beds, with patients and their families sitting on chairs, benches, and even on the floor.

The number of Laziness syndrome patients was high.

I stared at each person one by one.

“Um, excuse me, it’s bothering the patients a bit!”

“S-Sorry. Shion, let’s go outside!”

Pulled by Dad, I stepped outside the clinic.

Even during that time, my thoughts were spinning.

It was as I suspected.

“What’s wrong, Shion? Did you figure something out?”

“Yeah. I figured out a few things. First, ‘All Laziness syndrome patients didn’t have any magic power.’

At least, all the Laziness syndrome patients in Dr. Alfonse’s clinic didn’t.”

“What do you mean…?”

Most of the vagrants, all Laziness syndrome patients at the clinic, didn’t have any magic power.

Among the vagrants, there might have been healthy individuals, but by examining Laziness syndrome patients, I could make a judgment.

Of course, further verification was needed, but undoubtedly, Laziness syndrome patients had no magic power.

Moreover, it was likely that ‘those who originally had magic power are now without it.’

Whether it was everyone or just some, it couldn’t be determined, but it was almost certain that people like my sister, who originally had magic power, had lost it.

In recent years, my ability to measure magic power had improved, and I could now judge whether someone possessed magic power.

I realized that magic power could be present not only in children but also in adults.

Although they needed to be relatively young, people up to their twenties could have the potential for magic power.

All the patients resembling Laziness syndrome were young.

There were no elderly people among them, and they all seemed to be in their twenties or below.

“Perhaps, but people with magical ability, those with potential for magic, might be developing Laziness syndrome.

The age range of people with magical potential seems to match the age range of those who developed Laziness syndrome.

Moreover, my sister’s magic has either disappeared or become invisible.

So, isn’t there a possibility that magic is somehow related?”

“…In that case, perhaps.”

“Yeah…”

Is it all just a coincidence?

If it’s not, then there might be something I can do.

The treatment for Laziness syndrome, the key to it all, and even the cause are yet to be found.

If that’s the case, then “I’ll find it.”

Just like with magic.

If it doesn’t exist, I’ll find or create it myself.

I’ve already succeeded in that once.

So, it’s the same thing.

Save my sister.

Heal my sister with my own power.

I can’t see the path clearly.

But I felt a glimmer of hope, no matter how faint.

“The simultaneous outbreak of Laziness syndrome, the appearance of new night monsters, everything is related to magic, and ‘we are involved in the beginning of it all.’ It seems this is…”

Dad furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

“Dad?”

“Shion. I mentioned that there’s someone I want you to meet. I want to head to that person now. Is that okay?”

“Y-yeah. It’s fine.”

With a heavy atmosphere lingering, Dad moved forward. I sensed an unsettling feeling but followed Dad. His steps were not exactly light. However, it felt like a gentle push on my back, and I instinctively turned around. No one was there. It must have been an illusion. Yet, I affirmed that illusion and turned it into the strength to move forward. One step ahead. I felt a slight surge of energy in my body.